Katima blows N$1.26m on CEO case before hearing begins

The Katima Mulilo Town Council has already spent over N$1.26 million in legal fees linked to the suspension of its chief executive officer, Raphael Liswaniso, even though the full disciplinary hearing has yet to begin.

Documents seen by Namibian Sun reveal that between 27 December 2025 and 6 February, five “quick payments” were processed to two law firms appointed to handle the matter. Kangueehi & Kavendjii Incorporated received N$862 921.95, while S.S. Makando Incorporated was paid N$399 050, bringing the total expenditure to N$1 261 971.95 in just over six weeks.

It is understood that the council allocated N$1 million for legal affairs for the 2025/2026 financial year. This means the amount already spent on the CEO’s disciplinary process has exceeded the annual legal budget.

Sources close to the matter say most of the payments relate to preliminary legal processes, even though the substantive disciplinary hearing has not yet kicked off.

Critics described the expenditure as "scandalous".

Best interests

The dispute stems from Liswaniso’s suspension last year over allegations including administrative misconduct, procurement irregularities and abuse of authority spanning several years. He is contesting the legality of the suspension, arguing that the council acted beyond its powers and that the disciplinary process is procedurally flawed.

Through his legal team, Liswaniso maintains that the process does not comply with statutory requirements and should therefore be declared null and void.

Contacted for comment, acting CEO Albert Sibeya said he could not confirm the figures without consulting council management.

He added that he did not consider the amounts cited to be newsworthy, saying the council was acting in the best interests of the institution and in accordance with governance procedures.

“The people who are releasing such classified information, whether true or untrue, have motives behind it,” he claimed, adding that council decisions are taken collectively and in line with governance procedures.

He emphasised that the institution operates within principles of integrity and confidentiality and that he was not in a position to divulge further details.

Pricey processes

The revelation comes amid heightened scrutiny of the municipality’s financial oversight, as local authorities across Namibia face growing budget pressures.

In a directive dated 7 July 2025 and seen by this publication, urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa warned the council to resolve labour disputes internally to avoid unnecessary expenses.

In his directive to then-mayor Gabriel Kanyanya, Sankwasa instructed that labour disputes involving council staff members – Mabengano and 20 others, as well as Silinda Mubonenwa – be resolved internally.

At the time, the minister noted that the roughly N$60 000 paid to lawyers could have been avoided had the council adhered to his directive.